A recommendation is set to go before Edmonton Public School Trustees next week, suggesting the closure of three schools, and replacing them with one mega school.
That recommendation suggests the closure of three schools, Lawton Junior High School, R.J. Scott and Rundle elementary schools – replacing them with one Kindergarten to Grade 9 school.
The plan came after public consultations, where a number of consolidation options were proposed, including replacing schools in the Highlands area, three schools in the Westmount area, and the changes recommended for the Lawton area.
In Highlands, parents wanted more time, and in Westmount, parents pushed back against the idea – officials said the consolidation plan received the most support in Lawton.
“Overwhelming would be a word I could use from the consultations,” Lorne Parker, EPSB Managing Director of Planning said. “The community supports a new school, they don’t want a modernization.”
The principal of Lawton Junior High said many are excited about the idea.
“I think it’s more when you have the opportunity to have something new, you always look forward and say what’s new and innovative in the new schools to bring that into the city centre,” Greg Purschke said.
However, not everyone is sold on the idea – Kristine Lear said she worries about bullying with hundreds of students in an elementary to junior high school, and her son needs special classes.
“If it’s a K to 9 I’m afraid kids like my son are going to fall through the cracks, it’s very easy for that to happen,” Lear said.
Parker said such a format has worked in other schools, and he’s confident it will work again.
“I guess the proper definition would be state of the art school,” Parker said. “It’s going to be significantly more modern than they currently have, and what they would have in modernization.”
It’s hoped the new school would be complete by September 2016.
With files from Sarah Richter
